Sometimes you win Sometimes you lose. Washing Vintage Fabric

I rarely wash vintage fabric before selling it. 

But there are times I do,

When the marks are minor but extensive,

When marks are too hard to explain, or causing damage that needs to be fixed 

before I store it further. 

I recently bought quite a few vintage dress panels, embroidered and beaded. 

They were made in Hong Kong when it was 'the place' to visit. 

Sadly lots of this type of fabric - usually satins - don't get stored correctly and 

I find a lot with damaging marks from being in plastic bags for 30 years. 

I recently washed some, one survived in a usable condition the other not so great. 

I think I'm pretty bold when it comes to washing,

I know the risk and sometimes I'm prepared to take it. 

  

Heartbreaking! and worth a go at fixing.

I usually start with wool mix or shampoo

then progress through to tougher stuff if necessary. 

Washing vintage fabric can be scary,

and sometimes it backfires.